Data privacy: A Ugandan perspective

Have you ever noticed how social media platforms often recommend or show you content that mirrors the conversations you’ve had with friends, family, or colleagues? 

I’ve experienced times when I’ve discussed purchasing a specific phone, only to see ads for that same model popping up as I browse on the internet 

Apple recently agreed to pay $95 million to settle a court case accusing its devices of eavesdropping through Siri without user consent. The lawsuit claims that Apple’s virtual assistant was recording conversations and sharing this data with advertisers. Apple has however denied wrongdoing.

This issue should be a wake-up call for Uganda. Just as it has been revealed that tech companies may be constantly listening, studying users' behaviours, and using this data for various purposes including selling it to advertisers. 

TikTok, for example, has faced scrutiny before in the US over potential national security threats, with officials warning that Chinese spies might use app data to track US federal employees, although TikTok has denied these claims.

In Uganda, many TikTok users may not be fully aware of the implications of data privacy. Who is ensuring the protection of Ugandans from potential privacy breaches?

With a lack of robust data protection laws in place, the risks of digital privacy invasion are high, and more needs to be done to safeguard users' personal information from unauthorised access or exploitation.

This raises an urgent question, how can Uganda create a framework that not only educates users but also holds tech companies accountable for their data collection practices? It’s time to take digital privacy seriously.

While the class-action lawsuit against Apple covers US-based claimants, it raises a critical question; What happens to users in countries like Uganda, where regulatory frameworks for digital privacy are far less robust?

Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act of 2019 was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at regulating the collection, use, and storage of personal data. However, the act’s enforcement mechanisms remain weak. 

The Apple case revealed how inadvertent voice activations on devices can lead to unauthorised data collection, which might then be shared with advertisers. 

Ugandan consumers, like their counterparts globally, are enthusiastic users of smartphones and digital assistants. Yet, without robust oversight, they may unknowingly fall prey to similar practices. In such scenarios, who advocates for their rights, and how can they seek recourse?

As Uganda expands its digital economy, data-driven technologies are becoming integral to governance, health, education, and commerce.

However, this growth comes with heightened risks. For instance, telecom operators in Uganda routinely collect biometric data for SIM card registration, is this data safe?

International tech companies often settle privacy disputes in jurisdictions with stringent laws, leaving millions of users in less-regulated regions without redress. 

The Apple settlement applies exclusively to US citizens, offering them up to $20 per affected device. But what about Ugandans, whose Siri-enabled devices might also have been compromised? Shouldn’t they also be entitled to compensation or guarantees of improved privacy safeguards?

Uganda should strengthen its regulatory framework, adequately fund enforcement bodies, and ensure tech companies adhere to local data protection standards. 

Civil society organisations and consumer rights advocates should also amplify awareness about digital rights, and empower citizens to demand accountability.

Uganda’s role in the global tech ecosystem should not be underestimated. The country’s youthful, tech-savvy population represents a growing market for digital products and services. This consumer base wields economic power that can compel companies to prioritise privacy. 

The Apple settlement should serve as a wake-up call for Uganda and other nations where digital privacy concerns remain under-addressed.

It is an opportunity to reassess the value of personal data and the accountability of those who handle it. 

Marvin Twiinawe, [email protected]